Structure

of Creative Nonfiction
Objectives:
a. define structure as used in creative
nonfiction,
b. discriminate the different types of
structure, and
c. research and print five (5) nonfiction
articles and identify the structure used.

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Review
Differentiate the four strategies below:
1. Approach
2. Point of View
3. Tone
4. Authorial Voice

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Jessica Soho Video 4
Narrative Structure
◂ sequence of events and the way in which the
writer tells the story
◂ also refer to how the ideas are presented to
the reader
◂ the writer can tell the story from beginning
to end; use flashbacks; contrast two different
stories

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Narrative Structure
◂ right structure will take you where you need
to go
◂ metaphorically, the type of trip you are
taking would probably determine what type
of van you will choose-its size whether it
has full suspension or 4-wheel drive, and
other such features.

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Types of
Narrative Structure
Chronological Structure
◂ refers to an arrangement of event in a linear
fashion, as they occurred in time
◂ usually employed in for accounts of trip
◂ travel pieces in the READER companion
includes: Beauty and the Beast by Sylvia
Mayuga and Camiguin by Clinton Palanca

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Chronological Structure
Our route started with KL to Manila, Manila to
Boracay and Boracay back to KL. It was
a 4D4N adventure, 3 days in Boracay and 1 day in
Manila. Total flight cost approximately Rm560 (via Air
Asia) and accommodation was about Rm200 (via
Agoda) - we were on a budget. I brought about Rm600 in
excess pesos (at PHP0.074) with me. Being a very last
minute plan, we only finalized our bookings two weeks
prior to departure.
Retrieved from: http://www.spicysharon.com/2014/11/travelogue-sweet-escape-at-
boracay.html
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Explanation-of-a Process
Structure
◂ step by step type of organization
◂ recipes in cook book and manuals. \
◂ suggested article: Oro, Plata, Mata: Filipino
Building Beliefs (2000) by Ernesto Zarate.

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 Explanation-of-a Process
Structure
◂ Doors. It is advised that doors should not face each other. The people
in the north associates this with the easy passage of a coffin through
two doors that directly face each other.  Most regions in the country
also avoid positioning the main gate of the lot opposite the main
entrance of the house itself. In Sta. Maria and San Miguel, Bulacan,
however, wide doors facing each other are considered lucky, especially
if they lead to the terrace or garden. One’s door also should not
directly face one’s neighbor’s to avoid future conflicts with the said
households and to avoid wrestling with each other for the possession
of the luck that passes in front of both your houses. 
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 Flashback Structure
◂ beginning at some point in recent times and
then moving back into the past
◂ Usually employed in memoir/micromemoir
◂ Examples include A Collector of Events, I
Never Sang for My Father, A Gift of Words,
and One Man’s Duty and Honor.

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Parallel Structure
◂ use of several stories running side by side
with occasional cross-cutting or
convergence
◂ technique that may have been influenced by
the cinema
◂ Nick Joaquin’s The Quartet of the Tiger
Moon

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Parallel Structure

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Collage or Mosaic Structure
◂ convenient structure for accounts of disaster
◂ influenced by painting and film
◂ pasting together of small fragments, which
all together build up the total picture of what
happened
◂ excellent device for capturing the
complexity of an event

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Collage or Mosaic Structure

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Collage or Mosaic Structure

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Collage or Mosaic Structure

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Diary or Logbook Structure
◂ a variation of the chronological structure
◂ give sense of immediacy
◂ makes narrative more personal
◂ Alfred Yuson’s Dumaguete Diary

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Question-and-Answer Structure
◂ logical choice for interview stories
◂ allows the reader to hear the subject’s voice
without the awkwardness to repeat
◂ Dina Bonevie’s interview:
◂ So did you brag about your inclusion in FHM’s 100
Sexiest Women in the World to your ex-husbands and
ex-boyfriends?

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Frame, or the story-within a story
◂ Good structure to use when you wish to tell
two stories-say in a travel narrative, where
the actual physical journey is paralleled by
an inner journey
◂ Jessica Zafra’s Dedma 101

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